90 APPENDIX C: IP ADDRESSING
The subnet mask 255.255.255.255 is reserv ed as the default broadcast
address.
Default Gateway s A gateway is a device on your network wh ich is used to forward IP
packets to a remote destination. An alternative name for a gateway is a
Router. “Remote” refers to a destination device that is not directly
attached to the same network segment as the source device.
The source device cannot send IP packets directly to t he destination
device because it is in a different networ k segment. Instead you configure
it to send the packets to a gateway which is attached to multiple
segments.
When it receives the IP packets, the gateway determines the next
network hop on the path to the remote destination, an d sends the
packets to that hop. This could either be the remo te destination or
another gateway closer towards the destination.
This hop-by-hop process continues until the IP packets reach the remote
destination.
If manually configuring IP information for the Switch, ente r the IP address
of the default gateway on the local subnet in which the Switch is located.
If no default gateway exists on your networ k, enter the IP address
0.0.0.0 or leave the field blank.
Tabl e 9 Subnet Mask Notation
Standard Mask Notation Network Prefix Notation
100.100.100.100 (255.0.0.0) 100.100.100.100/8
100.100.100.100 (255.255.0.0) 100.100.100.100/16
100.100.100.100 (255.255.255.0) 100.100.100.100/24